An Urgent Prayer Request

Please pray for Anna! We got the lab results back on her bilirubin and liver enzymes....they are really bad. Dr. Irwin is baffled at what's going on. He researched her meds to see if this could be a side effect and came up empty. He spoke with a GI doc, and Anna will have an ultra sound of her abdomen tomorrow. She also needs to get more extensive labs done to check for several things including viruses. He is in contact with a doctor at Fred Hutch who is an expert on the meds Anna has been taking and is hoping he will have some answers too. We should know more tomorrow, although some of the tests won't be ready for a couple of days.


This, too, is in God's loving hands! There are of course many concerns, but we will strive to be careful for nothing!!

32 comments:

  1. Houstons,
    We're praying for you all. As parents, it's sooo hard to watch our children struggle and not be able to help them. We would trade places with them in a heartbeat.

    May our Father meet all of your needs and give sweet Anna the rest and relief that she needs.

    With love and prayers,
    Mike, Cyndie, and Danny

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  2. Praying you you and your family right now!!! I love you guys!

    ~Hannah .S

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  3. Many prayers for Anna that they can figure out what's going on.Meds can cause so many issues.I pray they get to the bottom of what's going on soon.Lots of love and hugs,The Marrero Family

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  4. Mrs. Houston,
    I am so very sorry you guys are going through all of this. I have been praying for you all. I will continue to do so and I pray for wisdom and peace. We love you guys GREATLY!!

    I did want to say that I looked the meds up online and it says it can cause severe liver problems (hepatotoxicity) can occur. It is on the website GLEEVEC.com. Not sure if that is of any help or not, but it is what I found.

    I will continue to pray and I love you all!!

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    1. Hey thanks! I hadn't gotten a chance to look yet, but I was certain that I had seen something about that in the paper work and warnings! Thank you for the web site, I'll definitely show it to Dr. I! He'll want to see it.

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  5. We love you, Dear Ones, and are continuing in prayer. Pls call if you need anything.

    The Olsens

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  6. Praying for your family and Anna specifically. Alton still prays for her (all on his own) and quite often asks me to go pray for her at the altar during the invitation at the end of services.

    Justin

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  7. Praying for Anna and each of you, Emily. Love and BIG Hugs to you all from the Doerr Family

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    1. oops! this was only deleted because it was on twice! ;-)

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  9. We are praying and praising. God is sovereign. He has written Anna's story and He is receiving the glory. In this time we rest knowing that God is our refuge and strength.

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  10. I read your blog one minute and the next I saw it on google+ and came back and I'm praying. I hope it all works out and Anna will get better

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  11. I LOVE YOU GUYS my kids always see you as family. We are praying , and praying, and more praying for her. Give her a big hug from us!!!!!! and to you Emily you are my birth day buddy and I have always felt you were like a sister to me at times you were the first to tell me happy birthday. LOVE YOU LOTS!!!!

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  12. "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah." Psalm 46:10,11

    I love you, Anna!
    Sarah S.

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  13. ~The Doctor has requested that Anna take a "vacation" from her meds until Monday~

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  14. Though we have never met, we've been praying for Anna most every day/night.

    After reading this post, here is a thought: *since the liver is one of our bodies big detoxifiers, it has more than likely been working overtime because of medications taken to help in another area of Anna's body.* Glad she is vacationing from the medications for a few days.

    Along with those thoughts shared - I realize that you may already know how the liver works and may not be encouraged by my comment BUT it helps as we pray to our Sovereign God for her. (It helps our family refocus prayers for her health.)

    Praying for Godly wisdom for all. Thanks for the update.

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  15. Continued prayers for Anna! Thank you Kaitlyn Pickens for the link on facebook. Will be looking for more updates on praying for Anna's site. God Bless you all and may Anna feel peace & love from all those around her as well as from our mighty God ♥
    ~Angie 'Potvin' Baker

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  16. Praying Emily for Anna, all of her family and the docs for wisdom..
    Ron and Kathy Isom

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  17. You're probably acquainted with this hymn by the Gettys:
    Still my soul be still
    And do not fear
    Though winds of change may rage tomorrow
    God is at your side
    No longer dread
    The fires of unexpected sorrow

    Chorus:
    God You are my God
    And I will trust in You and not be shaken
    Lord of peace renew
    A steadfast spirit within me
    To rest in You alone

    It has tethered our minds in several "storms."
    Our hearts are knit with many crying out for God's answer!

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  18. Praying for Anna and the whole family, I know God is in control but we still are human and even tho we say we won't worry it still happens----be strong and I know the Lord will give you that extra Grace. We love you all and will continue to pray for you. Cheryl Morris

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  19. Emily, my name's Leanne and I live in Longview, WA. I know Susan Bradrick and and I saw her urgent prayer request for Anna this morning when I looked at my FB page, and it roused my curiosity, as I too have a daughter who is close to Anna's age.....to make a long story short, I read every single post on your blog and I want you to know that my family is committing to pray for your family. Anna's story hit me right in the heart! And also just knowing others in the Body of Christ are praying for you really helps.

    We are a homeschool family with 8 children (1 boy who is the oldest at almost 18 and 7 girls) and it sounds like we have similar values. I know you are very busy and probably already have a close and tight circle of friends, but if you ever want to, you can email me at:
    mamas1angel513@msn.com
    And
    here is my blog address: my supplications.blogspot.com.

    I'd love to make become a new friend and I'd love to see you visit my blog!

    Anyway, I know it's a long comment, but please know that we are lifting you and your family up in prayer!!!!!

    Love
    Leanne Gilchrist

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  20. Emily, I don't know you folks, but found out about Anna from a friend and wanted to share some things I just found out about a few months ago that seem to really work. They are natural and easy to do so it is worth a try.

    1. Have her drink 6 8oz glasses of water a day and put 1/2 tsp of baking soda in each glass and mix well. (This makes the body alkaline and viruses, bacteria etc. can't grow in that environment)

    2. Give her 1 Tablespoon of raw honey with 1/2 tsp of cinnamon several times a day. (Viruses and bacteria can't grow in this mixture and it works for alot of things)

    3. Cut an onion in half or fourths if it is large. Place each piece on a saucer and place throughout your house. Put one on the bedstand in her room. (Incredibly, onion absorbs bacteria and viruses from the air. Sometimes the onion will turn black because of what it absorbs. You can do this when you have a cold and the cold will be gone right away.)

    I have a friend that was scheduled to have cancer surgery to remove a tumor and she's been doing the water with baking soda for about 6 weeks and yesterday the doctor gave her the wonderful news that they do not have to do surgery because the tumor has shrunk a considerable amount and they will just monitor it for now! Since these things are natural, there is no way they will hurt her and they are definitely worth a try!

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  21. Yes to the above comment! Natural remedies are amazing and in sure you can find s a ton more online. Praying hard for Anna and the whole family.

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  22. I didn't see this until ear;y this morning.... praying today. Now I understand your email a little bit better. Give Anna a hug for me. Love you, my friend, Grace

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  23. im kind of sad that she has trouble with garlic, because im reading alto that garlic is a huge liver detox food, along with avocados, and turmeric, and green tee. you probably hear this alot, but i am praying... i wish i could fix it! i wish there were more i could say to make it feel better for her, but i cant so... im praying :) all the time, all day... i cant stop thinking about it. so i dont stop praying :) i love you all! hug her as gently as possible for me ;) and tell her i said, "just keep swimming! " (finding nemo:) Rachel R

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  24. I didn't comment when I read this last night But have been praying!!
    Love you all!

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  25. Dear Houston Family,

    Oh How much we are aching for you! I am so sorry to hear about Anna's liver lab results. I can understand you don't need that, it's already a very heavy cross to carry. Be sure that Christ- who knows what pain is- will never let you carry that heavy load alone.

    You are uplifted before the throne of Mercy always dear ones.
    Love in Christ
    The McKinleys

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  26. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." - John 14:27

    "Casting all your care upon him: for he careth for you."
    - 1 Peter 5:7

    Praying for you, Anna!

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  27. Mrs. Houston,

    Sorry I'm behind on your posts. Will continue to pray for Anna as I have been. Praying the Lord will ease her pain or heal her all together.

    In Christ,
    Rick Potvin
    Pr. 3:5-6

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